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Trans 101 for Faith Communities

November 20th marks the 14th annual Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR). This event has grown from a candlelight vigil held in Alston, MA following the murder of local transsexual rocker Rita Hester in 1998 to a global phenomenon. As reported by Transgender Europe, 265 people were killed over this past year as a direct result of their trans status.

While the largest TDOR events remain secular, a growing number of churches and even cathedrals are opening their doors to the transgender community, which tends to be invisible in even pro-gay faith based settings. Find out more and honor TDOR this year.

Here are three resources available to faith communities who would like to make their spaces more welcoming to the trans community:

Made in God's Image: A Resource for Dialogue about Gender Diversityby Ann Thompson Cook answers basic questions about gender variance as well as transgender and intersex people and their experiences. Order from Many Voices.

Gender Identity and Our Faith Communities: A Congregational Guide for Transgender Advocacy is a detailed guide from HRC including biblical analysis and commentary, personal essays, audio files, and liturgy for use in your congregation. Download from HRC.

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